Posts from — October 2014

I often wander through farmer’s markets and produce departments with the best intentions. Squash for a gratin, cucumbers for a dip, apples for a pie, spinach, and mushrooms for a salad.  Unfortunately, once I get home and pack it all away in the produce drawers – gratins, dips, pies, and salads don’t always get made.

Such was the case with my most recent packages of mushrooms and spinach. The meal that the salad was planned for didn’t happen when we were invited out to dinner with friends, and for some inexplicable reason, I didn’t feel like a spinach salad the next night. OK, honestly, I was too tired to make an entrée and a salad.

Instead, I combined the ingredients and just made one dish. The result wasn’t especially inspiring, but it did get dinner on the table … with minimal thought, time, and effort. Sometimes, one can’t ask for more than that!

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Aaron Chamberlain, co-owner and head chef from St. Francis, recently taught at Les Gourmettes.

He made this soup, which he simply calls Pumpkin Soup. As you’ll see, it is much more than just pumpkin soup.

Aaron uses a combination of squashes to create a more complex flavor. If he wants to call it Pumpkin Soup, so be it. I call it good!

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I happily stumbled into the opportunity to take Dave to Garland’s Oak Creek Lodge for his birthday weekend.

A friend, whom I have yet to meet in person, offered it and I snagged it up the second I saw it.

Betsy is a follower and frequent commenter. I did a little research and found that  Betsy has left 50 comments here. Betsy, you are awesome!

Anyhow, Betsy and I are Facebook friends too. On August 20th, Betsy posted that she would not be able to use her reserved weekend at Garland’s and asked if anyone would like to take it. I jumped at the opportunity!

Garland’s has a long history of being difficult to get into. Guests hold on to their treasured reservations from year to year. And since Betsy’s weekend happened to fall on Dave’s birthday, I just had to have it. I sent Betsy a check, she made the arrangements with Garland’s and we were set.

Dave had no idea where we were going. I just told him what to pack a bag and then I drove north.

He was surprised and thrilled when I pulled off beautiful State Route 89A, crossed Oak Creek, and into Garland’s 10-acre/16 cabin property.

Garland’s is an American-plan lodge; it includes a full breakfast, afternoon tea, and gourmet dinner.

The food is a big part of the experience. We enjoyed Roast Pork Loin with Port Plum Reduction on Friday night and Pan Seared Halibut with Romesco Sauce and Saturday.

Oh, and the warm Orange-Cranberry muffins we scarfed down on Saturday morning…. to die for!

On Saturday night, I had a quick look into the kitchen and met Chef Brian Widmer. Chef Widmer could not have been more gracious, warm, and welcoming. Thank you Chef for taking a few minutes during your crunch time to talk with me!

It’s hard to tear yourself away from the property, but Dave and I did venture out on Saturday afternoon to visit Slide Rock State Park, which just reopened on Wednesday of last week, after the Slide Fire of this past May.  It was packed!

We also drove into downtown Sedona to buy some fresh Sandia Chili Pepper Ristras.

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… that every single one of you who has signed up as a subscriber … at any point in these past five years … should once again receive an email letting you know there is a new post.

If you did sign up and you don’t have an email by 9:30 this morning – I may give up blogging together!

So let me know – please!

While I wait to hear from you, I shall share some Friday Funnies!

Math is evil!

Sad, but true.

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Did you see those huge potted mums at Costco these last couple of weeks? Only $6.99 for a big five-gallon pot!

I bought five of them and have them all over the front and back patios – beautiful!

It was one of those fine October days
free from summer’s heat and haze
but not yet gripped by the autumn chill.

It was one of those fine October days
when the sky’s so clear
you can see the moon
through the atmosphere
at midday.

It was one of those fine October days
when the trees sport yellow and red
instead of everyday summer green.

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It’s that time of year…. Time for the 3rd Annual Fall Craft Party!

This year, I’m not the only one coming up with the crafts. A few of my “usual suspect” crafters are providing craft ideas, supplies, and instruction too.

2014 Fall/Winter Craft Party

Please leave me a comment if you would like to join us, and I’ll send you all the nitty-gritty details.

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